How to Choose The Best Weight Loss Program

How to Choose The Best Weight Loss Program
You have tried losing weight on your own and you have even
had some success. But life is hectic and stressful and in
time, the pounds always creep back. Now you weigh more
than you did a year ago.

This is discouraging and depressing and like many others
you might be thinking that you just can't face another diet
alone. When you were at the end of your rope did you ever
consider the support of a formal weight loss program?

For many, this is a good idea. By having professional
guidance and an organization as your "buddy" you have a
much better chance of success.

BUT BE CAREFUL! Not all programs are created equal. If
you want to choose wisely, here are six questions you
should ask.

1. DOES THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZE OVERALL FITNESS AND GOOD
HEALTH? If the advertising emphasizes dramatic before and
after photos with claims of the ease and speed of pounds
lost per week, beware. Average weight loss during an
extended program should not exceed two pounds per week.
This is equal to fifty pounds in six months or one hundred
pounds a year. Is the goal of the program to achieve a
normal bodyweight as the natural result of a balanced
lifestyle that promotes health and fitness?

2. IS THE MEAL PLAN PALATABLE AND NUTRITIOUS AND AVAILABLE
AT YOUR LOCAL GROCERY? Your first consideration is that
the meals on a plan include a variety of tasty foods that
supply all the nutrients necessary for long-term health.
This eliminates menus that prohibit entire categories of
food or limit portions to the point that you are always
hungry. Some plans "do it for you" by providing prepared
meals and snacks to manage what and how much you eat. This
is easy and effective (and expensive) but your success is
dependent upon the prepared meals. How long do you plan to
buy prepackaged food? What happens when you start shopping
and cooking for yourself and return to eating out? See
number three below.

3. IS THE PROGRAM BASED ON LEARNING HOW TO CHANGE DIETARY
AND LIFESTYLE HABITS? Lifestyle behaviors can be
"relearned" and this should be the backbone of any good
program. This is the only way that you will become
permanently lean, fit and healthy. This is the only way
that you can walk away, free of the oppressive burden of
lifetime, yo-yo dieting.

4. WILL YOU LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS THAT CAUSE
YOU TO BACKSLIDE? Will you have live support when the going
gets tough? Will you learn strategies to deal with
lifestyle saboteurs when they arrive to ruin your plans?

5. IS EXERCISE A PART OF THE PROGRAM? Exercise is an
indispensable part of a balanced fitness plan. Exercise
provides a big metabolic boost to losing weight and
simultaneously reduces stress and elevates your mood.
Equally important however, is that exercise prevents the
loss of lean muscle mass during periods of reduced caloric
intake and is also critical for long-term weight
maintenance. See number six below.

6. ARE THERE FOLLOW-UP PLANS TO HELP YOU KEEP THE WEIGHT
OFF PERMANENTLY? People experience different learning
curves when it comes to changing their lifestyle. No
matter how effective a plan is over the short-term, you
have wasted your time, effort and money if you have to
start from the beginning over and over again. Make sure
that the plan you choose emphasizes permanent weight loss
and has a system to support your efforts until you are
comfortable going it alone.

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Howard McGarity is a ?Human Performance Specialist?,
Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach who has studied
nutrition and exercise science for most of his fifty-six
years. He creates online programs for MyVirtualGym.com to
effectively help busy people get permanently lean, strong
and healthy. Get the Free e-book, ?The Five Fastest Ways
to Fitness? at => http://www.MyVirtualGym.com/